How to Apply Glazing to Cabinets

Glaze can give ordinary cabinets a new look.

Glazing cabinets doesn't just add a glossy finish to paint or stain -- it adds translucent color that in turn creates depth and texture. A single coat of glaze can change the entire look of your cabinets without time-consuming refinishing or expensive remodeling while keeping the base color of the cabinets.

Preparation

Remove hardware from the cabinets, such as knobs and pulls, and tape off any areas or adjoining surfaces that won't be glazed with painter's tape. Remove the doors if you plan to paint and glaze both sides, or tape off the edges if you are only glazing the front. Clean the cabinets thoroughly, making sure any dust, grime, grease or fingerprints are removed. Trisodium phosphate, or TSP, works well to remove grease and grime. Sand the cabinets lightly with a fine-grit sandpaper, or use a de-glosser to help the paint adhere.

Paint

Apply a base coat of paint using either a roller or a brush. The paint color will show through the glaze, so choose a color that works well with your selected shade of glaze. To create depth, choose one shade of paint for the base color of the cabinets and the same color that is either several shades darker or several shades lighter as the tint for the glaze. A single coat of paint on the cabinets will create an antiqued, worn look, since the paint coverage will be somewhat uneven. Two or more coats of paint will create a finely finished look with highlights of the glaze color. Let the paint dry completely before applying glaze -- usually at least 24 hours.

Glaze

Brush a thin coat of glaze on a single door or section, and then wipe it away with a clean lint-free rag. Wipe lightly but remove as much glaze as possible for a lightly glazed look, or rub the glaze into corners, crevices and embellishments for a darker antiqued look. Continue working in small sections, applying only a thin coat of glaze. Apply a second coat of glaze after the first coat has dried if you are not satisfied with the appearance of a single coat.

Finishing

For a shabby chic or antique appearance, use sandpaper or fine steel wool to grind away some of the glaze, revealing the grain of the wood and the original paint color. Wipe away any dust created by sanding. Brush a coat of clear urethane on the cabinets, working in sections to cover and protect the glaze. The clear coat will also make the cabinets easier to clean. Allow the glaze to dry to completely before applying the urethane, and then allow the urethane to dry before reassembling the cabinets and replacing the hardware.

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